Washing machine



Nov. 5, 1940. F. A. CONTERMAN I 2,220,476

WASHING MACHINE Filed Jan. 2, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fred A (0/7 fer/77aF. A. CONTERMAN Nov 5; 1940.

WASHING MACHINE Filed Jan; 2, 1937 a Sheets-Sheet 2 grwc/Moo Fred ,4 C0/7 fer/77a F. A. CONTERMAN WASHING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan.2, 1937 Momma Patented Nov. 5, 1940 WASHENG MAC Fred A. Conterman,Jamestown, N. Y., assignor to Blackstone Manufacturing Company,Jamestown, N. Y., a corporation of New York Inc,

Application January 2, 1937, Serial No. 118,710

3 Claims.

This invention relates to power driven washing machines and moreparticularly to the structure'of an agitator therefor. a

As has frequently been the case in the rapid 5 development of othermachines, development of washing machines has been concentrated oncertain few improvements, and in particular, provision of means foragitating articles with little or no rubbing contact of the articles bythe source of agitation. It was believed that washable ma terials wouldcontinue more serviceable if not subjected to the contact beating andchurning inherent in earlier machines. It was thought that the materialsshould be tumbled and twisted about solely through movement of theliquid in a washing machine tub in order to prevent wearing and tearingcontact with the agitating means. In washing certain articles such asthose composed of fine and frail textures, it may be advisable toutilize an agitating mechanism which causes the articles to be cleanedby the turbulent action of the liquid alone. These articles, however,constitute a very small portion of. theartlcles generally cleaned in awashing machine. To properly clean the average article in a washingmachine, it has been found necessary that the article not only betwisted, turned, and moved rapidly through the liquid, but it must, tosome extent, contact the source of turbulence or agitation to effectcomplete removal of dirt that has been loosened through action ofsoap.

In the development of an agitator best suited articles, such an agitatorcan only have practical application when utilized in the cleaning-of afew articles at a time. For instance, when a tub is filled to itscontemplated capacity, some'of the the agitator. If the agitator is of atype which tends to circulate the articles being washed in a verticalplane, that is, radially outwardly toward the wall of the tub, thosearticles adjacent the wall will be disturbed hardly at all and be im-Furthermore, an agitator must be capaagitator which is not intended tocontact thev articles contained therein must directly contactproperlycleaned,, Fjurthermore, in order that all articles in a filled'tub bethoroughly cleaned, it is imperative that the articles be circulated notmerely up and down, but laterally about the tub so that those articlesadjacent the tub wall, when 5 the agitator is started, will work theirway toward and into contact with the agitator several 'times during thecleaning operation.

Consideration must also be-given to the provision of an agitator whichwill not tangle, twist, 10 or tie articles in knots; If the direction offlow of the liquid due to oscillation of an agitator, is in a verticalplane, the articles are moved in bunches and constantly twist and turntogether in the same direction, thereby working them- 15 selves intotangles and knots. To prevent this an agitator must produce a flow ofliquid in the tub that is irregular, both as to force and direction. Inother words, oscillation in one direction must create a flow not onlyopposite to the flow re'sult- 20 ing from oscillation in the otherdirection, but irregular with respect thereto as well. Such irregularityof flow of the liquid tends to constantly move the articles about thetub in an irregular course. This can best be accomplished through 25 theprovision of an agitator which is non-symmetrical.

The present invention is primarily directed to the provision of anagitator for a power driven washing machine which tends to move articles80 being washed about the tub-in a generally horiaontal direction insmall circles, the diameter of which for purposes of, illustration, maybe considered as the distance between the agitator hub or support andthe nearest portion of the tubwall. This motion of the articles duringthe process 'of washing is made possible through the provision of anagitator, preferably located cen trally of a circular tub, which hassomewhat the appearance of a paddle wheel. The structure 40 provides aplurality of open sided compartments, the openings being directed towardthe tub wall. The agitator is rotated first in one direction and thenthe other about a suitable shaft projecting upwardly through the base ofthe tub and which is in turn connected with any conventional motivemeans.

One of the objects of the invention lies in the provision of an agitatorfor a washing machine which circulates articles being washed in deviouslateral paths about the tub.

Anotherobject of the inventionlies in the prqvision of an agitator whichis non-symmetrical and causes an irregular flow of liquid about the tub,both as to force and direction.

Another object of the invention lies in the pro vision of an agitatorfor a washing machine which tends to circulate the articles beingwashedin a horizontal direction in small circles or whirlpools.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an agitator fora washing machine which causes the cleaning liquid to be swirled insmall lateral circles bringing the articles into repeated contact withthe agitator. 1

Another object of the invention lies-in the provision of an agitator fora washing machine which, during a washing period, tends to flexindividual articles by short periodic engagement therewith resulting ina rapid whipping and swishing of the article.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an agitator fora washing machine which in appearance resembles a paddle wheel mountedto operate about a vertical shaft.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an agitator fora washing machine which, by reason of the provision of outwardly openingpockets, during reciprocation creates a v suction producing a number ofhorizontal whirlpools that give the articles temporary engagement withthe agitator.

Another and further object of the invention lies in the provision of anagitator for a washing machine which takes the form of a multiple .30bladed paddle wheel mounted on a vertical shaft,

the edges of the blades being enclosed by disks to provide single opensided pockets or buckets. Other and further objects of the invention maybe more fully understood from a considera- 35 tion of the followingspecification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and inwhich Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a washingmachine embodying one form of the 40 agitatorstructui'e of theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the washing machine of Figure 1 with the coverremoved, showing'the agitator, in position in the tub;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of theagitator showing the drive and mounting therefor, being takensubstantially on the lines 3-3 of Figure 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the agitator, shown in Figures 1, 2, and3, removed from the 60 tub;

' Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the agitator; Fig. 6 is a horizontalsectional view of the agitator showing the blades, and shows by arrowsthe turbulence set up when the agitator is 55 rotated in a clockwisedirection;

Figy'l is a view similar to Figure 6 further showing the turbulence setup in the tub when the agitator is rotated ina counter-clockwisedirection;

60 Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a modification of the agitator shownin Figure 4; Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional .view taken substantiallyon the line 9-3 of Figure 8; Fig. lois a perspective view of a furthermodifi- 65 cation of the agitator; and

Fig. 11 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line ll-ll of Figure10.

Referring to the drawings, one modification of a washing machine isshown, being generally indicated by the reference numeral l3. Themachine includes a tub ll consisting of a circular side wall I2,substantially flat base wall l3, and conventional inturned or rolledupper. edge |4 which. constitutes a seat for a cover I. The

75 tub II is mounted in any suitable manner on a base member "which isin turn supported by legs l3. Located in the base member I1 is asuitable motor 19 which drives and reciprocates a vertically positionedshaft 20 in a manner conventional to structures of this class, as forex- 5 ample, through mechanism 2|.

Located in the base member I! is a housing 23 which includes suitablebearings for the lower end of shaft 20. The .housing 23 projectsupwardly through an opening in the center of the 10 base wall l3 of thetub, and within the tub takes the form of a hollow post 24. Immediatelyadjacent'the base wall l3 of the tub the post 24 is threaded to receivea collar 25. Suitable packing 26 encircles a flange of the housing 23di- 15 rectly beneath the base wall l3, and further packing 21 encirclesthe post 24 between the col-. lar 25 and base wall [3. When the collar25 is turned down on the post, the packing 26 and 21 is compressed andthe unital housing and post 20 23 and 24 is rigidly secured to the tub.Suitable bearings may be provided in the housing 23 for supporting theshaft 20. The upper end of the shaft projects through and above the post24 and is adapted to mount a drive block 29. A 23 suitable key or pinsecures block 29 in position on the shaft 20. The outer surface of theblock 29 is formed with flat converging sides (preferably four) andconstitutes the mounting means for an agitator hereinafter fullydescribed. 30

An agitator generally indicated by the reference numeral 30 is locatedin the tub II and in one form (see Figures 3 and 4) comprises a disklikebase 32 which is preferably slightly dished to conform to the centraldished portion of the 35 base wall l3 of the tub. Projecting upwardlyfrom the center of the base 32 is a hub .33. A number of blades 34 arearranged substantially tangential to the hub 33. In the modificationunder consideration three blades 34 are provided, and in consequence,the vertical edge of one blade abuts or joins an\ adjacent blade substantially centrally thereof. In this manner a triangle is formed about thehub 33. The blades extend outwardly from the hub 33 to adjacent thecircumferential edge of the base 32. The height of the blades may bevaried but, as shown in the drawings,.are somewhat greater than half theheight of the hub 33. A plate 35 is located upon the upper edges of theblades 34, and in one form is triangular. This plate may, however, becircular and of a diameter corresponding to that of the disk 32. It willbe understood that there are three compartments in the agitator and thateach compartment is formed by the entire face 31 ofone blade, part ofthe face 33 of an adjoining blade, disk 32, and plate 35.

-With the exception of the difference in shape between disk 32 and plate35, the agitator has an appearance somewhat similar to a turbine wheel 0or enclosed paddle wheel. Inasmuch as it is contemplated that theagitator is to contact articles during the cleaning process forthe'purpose of twisting and flexing said articles, it may beadvantageous to provide a plurality of ribs 33 on each of the blades 34.

Referring particularly to Figure 3, it will be understood that the hub33 ofithe agitator is formed with an opening 40. This opening ispreferably slightly tapered, being smaller at shoulder 4| than adjacentthe disk-like base 32.

Continuing upwardly from the'shoulder 4| is'&' I

square opening 43 having walls inclined to the ,same inclinationas thesides of the drive block the agitator and projects upwardly through theengaged to draw the hub 33 downwardly onto the drive block 29 and secureit for operation.

Inasmuch as the operation of each of the three modifications ofagitators shown, as well as their results, are substantially .identical,attention is now directed to the structure of Figures 8 and 9. In thisinstance an agitator, indicated by the reference numeral 41, is shown tocomprise a base member 48 in the center of which is an upstanding hub 49substantially identical with the hub 33 heretofore described. A pair ofopposed blades 50 are located on the base member 48 which project insubstantially opposite directions. These blades are arrangedsubstantially tangential to the circular hub 49 similarly to the blades34. A top plate 52 completes the structure and forms, with the base 48and blades -machines and may, if desired, be reciprocated more rapidly.

The further modification shown in Figures 10 and 11 provides a basemember 55, inthe center of which is an upstanding hub 56. Enclosing thehub 56 are blades 51 which may be formed by joining faces of adjacentblades, as shown in the modification of Figure 4, or in a continuouslyincreasing curve as shown in these figures. A top plate 58 is located onthe upper edges of the blades 51 and, together with the base 55,provides five open sided compartments. This modification of the agitatoris adapted to be mounted on the drive shaft of the washing machine in amanner identical with that heretofore described.

Having described the structure embodying my invention, operation thereofis as follows. The tub H is filled with washing liquid and the articlesto be cleaned placed therein. With the articles in the tub, the level ofthe liquid, for best operation, should be somewhat above the top plateof the agitator. It is to be assumed that the agitator is started andthe first oscillation thereof takes place in a horizontal plane in thedirection of the arrow indicated in Figure 6. Rotation of the agitatorin this direction causes the surfaces 31 of the blades 34 to lead in acircular path about the tub. Since these surfaces are of considerablearea, a large amount of liquid is displaced and this takes the form of amore or less definite flow along the surfaces 31 toward and beyond thefree edges of the blades. is due to the fact that each blade is arrangedat greater than a right angle to its direction of movement and providesaninclined' surface which creates and directs a flow of the liquid It isobvious that as the liquid flows into the compartments of the agitatorand moves along toward,

the trailing edge of each surface 31, certain of the articles in the tubwill be carried with this fiow and be flexed andrubbed against'thesurfaces 31 before they move beyond the trailing edge of each blade. Itis to be understood that This surface 38, together with a portion of thesurface 31, forms a pocket which trails the leading outer edge of eachblade. This pocket creates a suction which tends to bend the flow ofliquid around the free edge of the blade into the following compartment.Of course, some of the articles being cleaned will follow this flowaround the edge of theblade and be flexed and turned during the process.In practical use the pockets formed by the surface 38 and a part ofsurface 31 have sufficient suction to create small Whirlpools into whichsome of the articles .are drawn before they again move along the surface31 and from off the free edge thereof.

Rotation of the agitator in a counter-clockwisedirection (see Figure 7)causes the surface 38 to previously mentioned, and is more nearly atright angles tothe direction of rotation. Consequently, the liquid movesinto the compartment along the'surface 31 and abruptly onto surface 38with greater force than was the case when surface 31 was leading and theagitator rotating in the opposite direction. The articles moving withthe liquid are forced somewhat away from the next compartment and alongthe surface 31 thereof.

Attention is directed to the fact that the action on the liquid in thetub set up by the agitator ,in one direction is somewhatdifferent fromthat in the opposite direction. The purpose of this is two fold. First,to create an irregular flow of the liquid for the purpose of constantlycirculating the articles in the tub, and second, to create an irregularwhipping and swishing of the articles for the purpose of preventingtwisting and agitator and swing in a large circle back into thetangling. Pastexperience has demonstrated that a uniform fiow of liquidin a washing machine is undesirable because of the tendency of articlesto constantly twist and turn in the same direction and thereby workthemselves into tangles.

bunches, and sometimes knots.

The modified form of bladev shown in Figures 8 and 10 does not alter theaction on the liquid, since these blades are also provided with largesurfaces, -which when leading, are inclined obliquely to the directionof rotation. Further, the rounded outer ends of the blades form pocketswhich create a suction in a manner similar to the pockets created bysurface 38 and part of surface 31 of the blades 34 heretofore described.Rotation in the opposite direction causes these rounded pockets to leadand move the liquid more violently laterally outwardly of the agitator,thus producing substantially the action described in connection withrotation of the agitator shown in Figure '1. Although a two bladedagitator will not create as substantial a directed flow of the washingliquid as will a three bladed agitator, it is contemplated that anagitator with two blades may be successfully utilized in a smaller tubor in washing articles which are not greatly soiled.

Each blade of the five bladed agitator shown in Figure 10 functionssubstantially identically with that of the three bladed agitator. Inthis instance, however, the blades and pockets are smaller and theliquid is caused to move through its devious paths with less force andvi0lence.- However, since there are five blades instead of two or three,there is more opportunity for each article to be contacted by a bladeand swished the result that each article is subjected to the twistingand ,turning flow of liquid along the blades, as well as contact withthe blades, over a longer period of time, with the result that a morethorough cleansing' oi' the article may occur.

Although applicant has, shown and described only three modifications ofa multiple bladed agitator which is closed top and bottom, it willbeunderstood that the number, size, and contour of blades, depth andshape of pockets and compartments and other modifications may be madeand are contemplated in so far as these modifications may be within thescope of the invention as defined in the hereunto annexed claims.

Having thus set forth my' invention what I claim as new and for which Idesire protection by Letters Patent is:

1. An agitator for a washing machine having a plurality of upstandingblades arranged to form a hub enclosing portion, said portion, in crosssection, taking the form of an equilateral triangle, said blades beingarranged to provide pairs of adjacent surfaces, one: of said surfacesbeing at least twice the length of the other oi. said surfaces, plateson the top and bottom edges of said blades, said plates and pairs ofadjacent surfaces together forming open sided pockets.

2. An agitator for awashing machine comprising three vertical bladesarranged and joined to form a triangular central portion, said bladeshaving substantially plane surfaces, the outer edges of said surfacesbeing ina vertical plane and terminating within the lateral limitssupport for said blades.

3. An agitator for a washing machine comprising three vertical bladesarranged and joined opposite edges oi. said blades, said platescooperating with sald blades to form laterally opening pockets.

FRED A. CONTERMAN.

